Yucatan Peninsula

Mexico

Cozumel Travel Guide

The island of Cozumel is Mexico's largest island and a very
popular destination with holidaymakers. It's located 12 miles
(19km) off the Caribbean coast of the Yucatan Peninsula, opposite
the resort Playa del Carmen. Cozumel has exceptional coral gardens
and spectacular reef drop-offs offering legendary snorkelling and
the best diving in Mexico; in fact, it frequently ranks as one of
the top five dive destinations in the world. The west coast of the
island is where the majority of development has taken place and
where the town of San Miguel is situated. Due to the island's
popularity with wealthy day visitors from the passing cruise ships,
the town is packed with pricey shops, restaurants and bars, as well
as dozens of dive shops. Cozumel is a favourite holiday destination
for divers and non-divers alike, offering some great beaches,
crystal clear water and plenty of sunshine. Its ease of access to
the mainland also makes day excursions to some of the popular Mayan
sites, like Chichén Itzá, possible.

San Miguel is a duty-free zone, and there are hundreds of stores
selling most things imaginable and certainly anything tourists
might desire. The cruise ship passenger terminal at Punta Langosta
Pier has a variety of shops, but these are among the island's most
expensive, catering to day-visitors with little time and lots of
money. Prices decrease the further away from the docks one
ventures. The waterfront shopping zone stretches to La Plaza behind
which there is a craft market. For groceries, there are a few food
stores, as well as the Cozumel Market on Adolfo Rosado Salas where
holidaymakers can buy fresh seafood, spices and fruit and
vegetables. In the markets travellers should be prepared to
bargain, but some wonderful arts and crafts can be found.

Cozumel offers food of every kind from authentic Mexican, to
international and fast food franchises like Burger King.
Holidaymakers will not be disappointed. Casa Denis is one of the
oldest and most popular restaurants in town, featuring a variety of
traditional Mexican cuisine, and La Choza Restaurant and Casa
Mission are other authentic Mexican food favourites. For seafood
try La Conchita del Caribe, or Guido's for Italian. Fresh and tasty
fusion food can be had at New Especias Restaurant. For an
unassuming local experience try Del Sur Argentina Empanadas, which
offers a delectable range of sweet and savoury empanadas including
a bacon and plum option which is surprisingly wonderful.

Although there is a wide variety of night time entertainment for
holidaymakers to enjoy, things tend to begin and end earlier in
Cozumel compared to the rest of the famous Mexican beach resorts,
and those expecting a night scene comparable to Cancun or Acapulco
may be disappointed. The most popular disco venue is Neptuno, while
Carlos´n Charlie's is also very popular. No Name Cigar Bar is
also a popular night spot and is located close to Hotel Barracuda.
Those who prefer a resort which doesn't host hordes of young party
animals will prefer Cozumel's slightly more sedate and stylish
nightlife, although this is not the case over Spring Break (March)
when US teenagers descend on the island.

Scuba diving and snorkelling are Cozumel's main tourist
attractions and its surrounding reefs and clear waters have earned
it the reputation as one of the top dive destinations in the world.
Hotels offer a variety of other watersports, and activities such as
deep sea fishing and swimming with dolphins are also available.
Tours to the Mayan ruins of Chichén Itzá and Tulum,
on the mainland, are wonderful excursions that add an element of
historical and cultural sightseeing to a beach holiday.

Cozumel is a cruise ship destination, and is popular with
wealthy day visitors, which has driven the prices of shops,
restaurants and bars to among the highest on the Yucatan Peninsula.
The island becomes swamped daily by cruise visitors from passing
ships and San Miguel can be quite crowded.